DO YOU HAVE A GREEN AGENDA?

It’s been 3 months since Earth Day, and though you may have thought about implementing green business strategies, how many of them are actually in place? Have you been able to sustain a certain level of responsible business practices or has your commitment fallen by the wayside like resolutions of New Years Days past?
First, don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. Second, and more important, know that if you’re trying to make changes in everyday operations without incorporating the help of those around you, you may be making a big mistake. Don’t try to save the world by yourself. Take the following 9 steps to get things started and form your “Eco-Team”
1. Develop a Green mission statement - Post it where everyone will see it, staff as well as guests.
2. Develop a Sustainability plan – measure present water and energy usage and set goals for reducing those amounts using specific numbers and timelines. Remember it’s important to know what you are using now; you cannot improve on something that is not measured.
3. Put someone in charge – You will need someone to spearhead the salon/spa efforts to be green. A sustainability officer if you will, who is capable of being the water & energy monitor as well as the green cheerleader. This person can be the salon/spa owner, or manager or someone else you feel will share your passion for running an environmentally responsible business. Progress reports should be discussed at monthly staff meeting to make sure your business is on track to meet its goals.
4. Engage your staff - The best way to keep the excitement going is to get everyone involved. Encourage ideas and suggestions from staff. Post a Green Employee of the month based on the level of commitment to the goals set forth.
5. Get noticed - A message board in your salon labeled "One Green Thing" is a great place to showcase your green business strategies. Each month list one thing you are doing to be a greener Salon/Spa, and include the impact, that one thing, will have on the environment.
6. Encourage your guests to be involved -Develop an incentive program or contest if you will. Ask each guest if they would like to participate in "Project Green" (or whatever name you would like to use). Have them state one thing they do personally to improve the environment on a piece of paper and place it in a bowl. Each month draw a name from that bowl and award your guests with a gift. The gift could be a reusable bag displaying your salon/spa logo filled with organic Products, biodegradable files, bamboo brushes, you get the picture.
7. Don’t forget your Suppliers – Your carbon footprint reaches beyond the walls of your business. Make sure you are doing business with suppliers who share your commitment to the environment and have sustainability plans of their own. By doing this, you will be encouraging others to join your cause, as well as reinforce your image as an environmentally responsible member of the community.
8. Let your community know – Local newspaper editors are always looking for stories of interest and anything eco-friendly is hot right now. You may even get one to do a feature article on how your salon/spa is engaging staff, guests and suppliers to do everything they can to improve their environment and their community.
9. Be Transparent – Remember the old saying “Honesty is the best policy” Everyone is jumping on the green bandwagon. And with the new urgency to be green comes the prospect of Greenwashing. People are slowly becoming leery of false marketing claims that are not backed up by truthful documentation. You will experience setbacks as well as successes. It is important to post information regarding what you are doing now and what your goals are, what you are doing well and what areas need improvement. Your guests as well as the rest of the community will respect your efforts and honesty.

In closing remember, creating and sustaining an Eco-Friendly Salon & Spa does not have to be hard. Take one step at a time, incorporating small business practices that will result in large impacts on the environment. It may be difficult to be completely green, so let’s make every effort to be less brown.

NAEFSS wants You!

Is your salon/spa committed to being GREEN? Maybe your business is Carbon Neutral, uses only natural and or organic products, and adds social & economic value to your surrounding community.

The National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons & Spas is all about building a community of like-minded business owners coming together to share ideas, concerns, and success stories involving green business strategies.

Some business owners are BIG on passion but small on experience. If you are a leader in greening the salon/spa industry, we invite you to contact us, share your stories, and become a valued member of our community.

This may seem like a commercial, really its more like reaching out to find others who share our passion for turning ours from an industry who uses a lot of water and energy while producing toxins into the air and water streams, into those who are thoughtful about using these resources efficiently and with respect to the environment around us.

Add value to your business by continuing to learn and stay connected to others who share your goals of healing the environment. Add value to others in this industry that could benefit from your experiences. Join the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons and Spas. www.naefss.org.

The Seventh Sin of Greenwashing

The topic in an interview by Joel Makower on GreenBiz radio was about the seventh sin of greenwashing, which is “Worshiping False Labels” The Eco-Revolution is occurring at a fast and furious pace, and greenwashing is running out of control. Greenwashing refers to companies marketing their products to appear green but do not tell the whole story. Some of the ways companies green wash is by being too vague, fibbing or employing business strategies that are the lesser of two evils.

The latest sin was exposed by Scott Case of Terra Choice. He talks about the realization that everywhere you look; companies are developing eco-seals without any substantial requirements behind them. You can also look up certifications and find there are many people and organizations willing to certify you or your business without any requirement except cash.

Presently there are no regulations to protect consumers against false seals. This is bad for consumers but also bad for legitimate organizations looking to make a difference. Eco-concern is not new but is still in its infant stage. Until there is some kind of general consensus, here are some things to look for behind the seal or certification.

Find out what conditions need to be met before the product can bare the seal. Is there a standardized model for certification requirements or is it hit or miss? Look for transparency behind the seal or certification.

You will find the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons & Spas (NAEFSS) had developed a standardized model well before launching its Association. The certification process is complex and detailed. There are over 90 points available when addressing verification requirements in the certification packet. This is not LEED certification. It is NAEFSS certification developed by a LEED Accredited Professional dedicated to award certifications specifically suited toward the Salon & Spa industry.

Third Party certification is the best way to confirm a business is what it says it is. And NAEFSS has everything you are looking for in terms of true Certification. Go to www.naefss.org and register for certification today.

Do you recycle away from home?

Went away for the weekend to a friend’s cottage. The trash generated in just two days drove me crazy. As trash began to pile up I asked, “Do you recycle?” They looked at me like deer in headlights. Was I speaking a foreign language? I really didn’t want to believe no one was recycling, the very least you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Oh but let’s not go there. If I start talking about carbon emissions and sustainability I would have lost them for good. It seemed the concept of recycling and water conservation was lost in the rubble of half used water bottles, dumped out because we didn’t know who drank fro them last, and Styrofoam plates.

I decided it was best to lead by example and did my best to grab the plastic forks before they made their way into the trash, after all I was washing the real dishes, why not the plastic fork. I felt better on the trip home, knowing I had scavenged at least one large bag of recyclables to take home.

Do you recycle away from home? If not, I hope you will give it some thought. It really doesn’t have to be a big deal, just a change in your mindset.